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THE GIFT 



A POETIC DRAMA 



MARGARET DOUGLAS ROGERS 




CINCINNATI 

STEWART & KIDD COMPANY 

1914 






Copyright, 1913 
MARGARET DOUGLAS ROGERS 



All rights reserved 
Copyright in England 



PRINTED DECEMBEH, 1913. 



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^C1.A861500 



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ciHg difta 

A.ND HEART I 
ALIKE TO 



OF MIND AND HEART I DEDICATE 
ALIKE TO 



ACT I. 



THE GIFT 

ACT I 

Scene: A charming woodland. In an open 
space are discovered the nine Muses dancing 
in a circle to the harp-strains of Apollo, who 
sits in the center. The circle separates, di- 
viding right and left, and Apollo, after a 
fetv absent-minded thrums on his harp, 
speaks. 

Apollo. 

And is the task completed! Hast thou each 
Bestowed a gift upon this radiant sprite 
Moulded of clay from off the earthly sphere 
By gods upon the high Olympian mount? 

The Muses. 
Yea, all 's completed. 

Calliope. 

Every gift 's bestowed, 
And Woman soon shall bless or curse the earth. 
I gave her of my voice — 

7 



THE GIFT 



Euterpe. 

And I my song. 

Erato. 
I gave her love of love. 

Thalia. 

I gave her joy 
And wit and gayety; — I '11 make her laugh! 

Terpsichore. 

And she shall dance, for I her dainty feet 
To love of rhythm set. 

Urania. 

And I the stars 
Have made her know, and all things else 
Pertaining to the heavens. 

Clio. 

I the love 
Of glory planted in her — that the deeds 
Of might performed by gods and men might 

meet 
Her approbation. 

8 



THE GIFT 



Polyhymnia. 

I the sacred tilings 
Made lier to wish for; to adore the gods 
And sing their praises in befitting hymns. 

Melpomene. 

The goddess I of Tragedy: I fear 
That without me her life is incomplete. 
For when the gods this human creature made 
They mixed, with all the virtues they endowed, 
Some human weakness. 

Apollo. 

And yet haply, she 
May find such joy in all these other gifts 
As not to know thee. I have giv'n 
Such skill in sounds as doth delight the ear, 
And Venus gave her beauty, and the art 
Of gracious manner; while Minerva then 
With housewifery endowed her. Thus, all robed 
In lovely garments by the Graces made, 
Embellished by the Horae, she will soon 
Be sent to Epimetheus, the one 
For whom the gods hath made her. Who shall 
say 

9 



THE GIFT 



That aught but joy and happiness awaits 
Pandora, the all-gifted? 

[Enter Epimetheus.] 

Epimetheus. 

Hail to thee, 
Thrice great Apollo and the Muses nine, 
What chance hath brought thee earthward, and 

what meed 
Of service can I render, with such skill 
As doth possess me? 

Apollo. 

Epimetheus, 
Thou art the reason for this gathering. 
Thou with thy wisdom hast endowed the beasts 
With all their various knowledge, and for man 
Did'st borrow fire from heaven. But one thing 
Thou lackest still, with all thy attributes — 
It is a help-mete for thy lone estate. 
And to assist thee, all the deities 
Assembled on Olympus, have combined 
T' enrich with pleasing virtues, a most rare 
And wondrous mortal creature, made of clay. 
Her kind shall be called Woman, and the name 

10 



THE GIFT 



The gods hath given her, Pandora; — thus — 
Pandora, the All-Gifted. 

[Epimetheus is almost overcome.] 

Epimetheus. 

This to me? 
all ye Olympian gods and goddesses, 
Bear witness to my gratitude and joy! 

[To Apollo.] 
Yet tell me of this creature. Doth she walk 
As I do, on two feet, or doth she fly? 
Doth she wear feathers, fur, or is she clothed 
As I? 

Apollo. 

Like an Olympian goddess she, 
Yet made of mortal clay, and so of earth; 
Timid, yet bold, and passionate, yet shy, 
And to be won, must eagerly be sought. 

Epimetheus. 

Pray, bring this creature to me, that mine eyes 
Behold, and know thou speakest what is true. 

Apollo. 

Thy wish is granted. Muses tune thy lyres, 
Invoke the deities, and bid her come! 

11 



THE GIFT 



[The Muses bring forth their lyres and 
other instruments, which have been resting 
near. Apollo adds his skill, and they sing 
the invocation.] 

The Muses. 

fair one, come — 'tis wooing-time, 

For Spring is on the lea — 
The sunshine kisses hill and dale, 

The moonbeams kiss the sea. 

The doves coo love-songs to their mates 

The fiow'rs list to the bees. 
The breezes touch with loving breath 

The gently quivering trees. 

The air is rife with melody, 

No loving heart is dumb — 
touch her heartstrings lightly, Love, 

And bid Pandora come! 

[In a shaft of light Pandora appears, es- 
corted by Mercury. Not far from her, and 
all unnoticed, follows little Cupid, armed 
with his bows and arrows. He watches 
Epimetheus mischievously, and draws an 
arrow from his quiver. During the conver- 
12 



THE GIFT 



sation and events following, he tries his 
how deliberately, feels his arrow carefully, 
chooses another, fits it to his how, and finally 
draws his how and aims an arrow straight 
at the heart of Epimetheus. Epimetheus, 
at sight of Pandora, stands rooted, spell- 
bound. Pandora advances half way, smil- 
ing, then stands, timid and overcome. Soft- 
stringed music has accompanied their en- 
trance.] 

Mercury. 

Great Epimetheus, hail! A messenger, 
Charged by the deities am I, to bring 
To thee a gift of priceless worth; — a wife — 
Who brings to thee a dower of many charms. 
Love and defend her; give her of thy store, 
For ne'er hath man or Titan been so blest. 
Her kind shall be called Woman, and her name. 
Pandora — Gifted One. 

Epimetheus. 

Ah, Mercury, 
Convey for me my very grateful thanks, 
And tell the gods their gift is well bestowed. 

13 



THE GIFT 



Mercury. 

Thou sayest well, and so I bid Adieu. 
May gods and goddesses befriend thy home. 

[Exits.] 

Epimetheus. 

[To Pandora.] 

Ah — art thou she! — Pandora — Gifted One? 
The creature made of clay? [Confused.] Thou 
art most fair ! 
[Holds forth his arms patronizingly.] 
I pray thee, come to me; let me behold 
At closer range thy loveliness! 

Pandora. 

[Timid and frightened.] 

Ah — no ! 
I dare not! Thou art such a monster! — No! 

Epimetheus. 

What, I a monster? I, thou timid one? 
I am the Titan Epimetheus, 
Who with Prometheus, my brother, hath 
Appointment by the deities to give 
The animals their various attributes, 

14 



THE GIFT 



And who for man the heav'nly fire didst steal. 
Dost know me not? Come to me — thou art 
mine! 

Pandora. 
I know thee not, and I am sore afraid! 

Erato. 

He will not hurt thee, foolish one; go forth 
And greet thy lord and master, whom the gods 
Would have thee honor and obey. 

Pandora. 

No, no! 

Epimetheus. 
x\h ha, then, I will take thee ; thou shalt come ! 

[He advances towards Pandora, hut at 
this juncture Cupid directs the arroiv he 
has been preparing, straight at his heart. 
He stops, claps his hand upon his heart, and 
expresses great pain. Pandora turns away, 
and, beholding the Muses, seeks their com- 
pany and examines their harps with in- 
terest.] 

15 



THE GIFT 



Pandoka. 
[To the Muses.] 
What pretty toys ! Acquaint me with their use ! 

[Calliope, Euterpe, and Erato proceed to 
give her a lesson on the harp, the others 
looking on with interest, Apollo abstractedly 
thrumming on his harp, and dividing his at- 
tention between them and Epimetheus. Epi- 
metheus staggers slightly, yet gazes in 
pained rapture at the unconcerned Pandora. 
Cupid smiles mischievously and departs.] 

Epimetheus. 
— I am wounded sore ! What means this pain ! 
I die ! Mine eyes are blinded with the light 
She radiates. come, Pandora, come — 
I die! 

[He falls back against a tree, reaching 
his arms to her and gazing amorously. She 
does not hear nor notice him. Enter Prome- 
theus. He does not see Epimetheus.] 

PROMETnEUS. 

Apollo, hail ! Thy melodies 
Hatli brought my wandering footsteps at thy 
call. 

16 



TPIE GIFT 



Pray, what hath brought thee and the Muses 

hence 
So near the portal of my poor abode? 

[Apollo looks at him absently and nods 
toward the suffering Epimetheus.] 

Prometheus. 
[Advancing toward Epimetheus.] 
Ho, brother, what dost ail thee ? Art thou hurt? 

Epimetheus. 

[Still gazing rapturously at Pandora, his 
hand upon his wounded heart.] 
Dost see her there, the fair one? 0, my heart! 
How fair she is and lovely — past compare ! 

Prometheus. 
[Indifferently.] 
Aye, she 's a comely maid, yet thou hast seen 
Full many goddesses more fair than she! 

Epimetheus. 

No — none were ever fashioned half so fair! 
She is a gift sent to me by the gods. 
Pray go to her and bid her speak to me 
And smile upon me, or I die! 

17 



THE GIFT 



Prometheus. 

So, ho ! 
Thy wound is feverish, I see, and thou 
Hast a delirium. Methinks the hurt 
Was caused by one of Cupid's naughty pranks. 

Epimetheus. 

Brother, the gods hath sent her. She is mine. 
And yet she turns away. 
[Pleadingly to Pandora.] 

Pandora, come! 
I will not hurt thee, gentle creature; — come 
And ease these pains that do so rack my heart! 

[Pandora glances hack at Mm, then in 
timid fear retreats further atvai/.] 

Prometheus. 

Take my advice and counsel, brother mine, 
Beware of gifts by deities bestowed. 
They do but augur ill, for deities 
Are most exacting. Take her not, I say. 

Epimetheus. 
[Angrily.] 
Go from me, brother; thou art like an ass 
For foolishness! 

18 



THE GIFT 



Prometheus. 
[Unmoved.] 

Consider yet again. 
Dost think the gods would send a gift all good 
To thee or me, who stole their heav'nly fire? 
Beware, I tell thee, brother; — this fair face 
Hath stol 'n thy wits away, else wert thou wise. 

Epimetheus. 

Begone with thy unwelcome counsel! Go 
And tell it to the sylvan Echo nymph, 
And she will speak it o 'er and o 'er for thee, 
So thou may'st hear and gloat upon thy words. 
Eepeat them not to me — I will not hear! 

Peometheus. 
What foolish speech — 

Apollo. 

[Laughs low and musically.] 

Prometheus, thou 'rt undone. 
Scant gratitude thy counsel doth invite. 
Come, go with me; — and. Muses, bring your 

lyres 
And leave these foolish mortals here alone. 
[The Muses prepare to leave.] 
19 



THE GIFT 



Pandoka. 

take me with thee — leave me not alone. 

1 am afraid — afraid to be alone! 

Ekato. 

No, child, thou canst not come — this is thy 

home; 
Stay with this sad, brave heart which longs for 

thee! 

[The Muses follow Apollo and Prome- 
theus, gracefully twanging their harps and 
pausing to speak to her as they pass.'] 

Clio. 
Fear not, Pandora, for thy fame will go 
Adown the ages. Thou art blest indeed. 

Polyhymnia. 
Thou hast a sacred duty to perform. 

Thalia. 
[Mischievously.'] 
Tease him, Pandora — laugh at him, and make 
Him laugh with thee. No god was ever won 
By solemn visage, and a Titan less. 
So tease him, coax him, wheedle him — but 
smile ! 

20 



THE GIFT 



Terpsichokb. 
And make him dance while thou dost gaily pipe ! 
[They trip off, laughing, except Melpom- 
ene, who is last of all, and who pauses and 
looks sorrowfully at her as if about to speak, 
then follows the others silently. Pandora 
glances timidly at Epimetheus.] 

Epimetheus. 

[Advancing toward her.] 
Pandora, little one, behold thy mate! 
See, I would kneel and kiss thy little hand. 
Look on me, dear. Hast thou no fav'ring mark, 
No look of approbation to bestow? 

[She does not resist him, but looks at 

him long and earnestly, while Cupid enters 

and, with roguish look, aims an arroiv at her 

heart, then exits.] 

Pandora. 
[Bewildered.] 
Why, thou art not a monster ! And thou hast 
A goodly countenance. 0— what a pain! 
It struck me here! 

[Presses her hand to her heart, then no- 
tices his wound.] 

21 



THE GIFT 



And thou — hast thou a wound? 
Arise. Draw near, that I may know thy hurt 
And tend its healing. Art thou in much pain"? 

Epimetheus. 

[Rising joyfully.] 
In pain no more, my own, my priceless gift, 
Since thou dost look on me with fav'ring eyes. 
Come to my wounded heart and nestle there, 
And still its wild pulsations. 

[Places her hand on his heart.] 

Canst thou feel 
How yearningly it beats for thee, my love? 

[He takes her, yielding, in Ms arms.] 
this is bliss ! Kiss me, dear heart, and say 
If thus thy pain is stilled, as is mine own? 

Pandora. 
. . . Yes — ah, yes, my foolish, timid heart 
Doth lose its ache while in thine arms I rest. 
Ah, stay with me, my love, for I am thine. 
And thou art mine. And I will be thy wife 
As thou dost wish me. 

Epimetheus. 

Yea, my wedded wife ! 
[He kisses her. Tableau.] 

CUETAIN. 

22 



ACT II. 



ACT II 

Scene out of doors, the liome of Epimetheus in 
the background. Epimetheus is discovered 
alone, seated upon a stone bench in fore- 
ground. Enter Mercury, carrying a large 
wooden box upon his back. 

Epimetheus. 
[Rising.] 

Why, Mercury, a heavy load thou hast. 
Pray set it down and rest a moment here ! 

Mercury. 
[Putting down the box.] 
My journey 's ended, Epimetheus, 
For 'tis to thee the gods have sent this box. 
They bid thee keep it in thy sacred charge. 
Nor ask its contents, nor investigate. 

Epimetheus. 
The gods hath honored me to thus entrust 
Their secret to my keeping. Tell them I 
Will guard it with mine honor's sacred pledge. 
The box shall not be opened. 

25 



THE GIFT 



Mekcuey. 

Then farewell, 

My duty is accomplished, and I bear 

Aloft thy promise, — so again, farewell! 

[Exit.] 

[Epimetheus resumes his seat and looks 
long and earnestly at the box.] 

Epimetheus. 
Another mystery! I am indeed 
Both blest and curst ; and which is uppermost — 
The blessing or the curse, I cannot tell, — 
Time shall alone discover. Well I know 
The sweet mysterious spell of love, and yet 
The mystery of Woman and her moods 
I can but guess at vaguely, knowing less 
Yet puzzling more, as Time doth bear us on. 
The secrets which lie hid within this box 
I may not know nor guess at, yet I know 
It holds no mystery to tease my soul 
As doth the witching ways of womankind. 

[Pandora comes out of the house and 
pauses at top of the wide steps.] 

Pandora. 
Art lonely, love? Dost wish for company? 

26 



THE GIFT 



Epimetheus. 
[Rising joyfully.] 
Aye, truly, dear, sucli company as thou! 

[He advances toward her, and she de- 
scends the steps, smiling and very lovely, 
and approaches Epimetheus with half timid, 
half eager grace. He enfolds her in his 
arms, middle stage. Cupid enters and hov- 
ers about unnoticed.'] 

Pandoka. 

Tell me thy thoughts, love, when thou art alone. 
What brings that puzzled wrinkle to thy brow? 

Epimetheus. 

My thoughts are all of thee, dear, thee alone; 
Awake or dreaming, thou art imaged here 
Upon my heart; and if I, puzzled, frown, 
It is in wonder at thy loveliness. 

Pandora. 
Ah, thou art but a flatterer, forsooth. 
And yet like music to my willing ears 
Thy fair words ring. What happiness is mine ! 
How lovely is the world ! 
[She notices the box.] 
27 



THE GIFT 



Why, what is this 1 
Oh, what a pretty box ! How came it here 1 

[She runs toward it and begins to ex- 
amine it.] 

Epimetheus. 

'T was brought by Mercury a while ago — 
The gods have bade me keep it in my care. 

Pandora, 

A gift ! And from the gods ! What luck is this ! 
Pray open it and see what is within! 

Epimetheus. 

Nay, I am charged to keep it as it is. 
Nor ask its contents, nor investigate. 

Pandora. 

foolish one ! What dost thou say, indeed ! 
It cannot matter if we take a peep! 
The gods do merely tease thee; they enjoy 
Their little jokes. — Do come and peep with me ! 

[She fumbles at the knotted golden cord 
which binds the box.] 
28 



THE GIFT 



Epimetheus. 

[Staying her hand.] 

Nay, stop, Pandora, I have made a vow 
That I will leave the box unopened here, 
Nor meddle with it. 

Pandora. 

Keep thy foolish vow ! 
Thou 'rt mad to make it ! I have made no vow ! 

[She endeavors to untie the knot.] 
Epimetheus. 

Pandora, thou art mine and I am thine — 
We twain are one. My promises involve 
Us both. Thou must not — dar'st not look 
within ! 

[He restrains her, and they stand look- 
ing at each other steadily, while Melpomene, 
unseen of them, sloivly crosses the stage in 
background, gazing at them sadly as she 
passes.] 

Pandora. 
[Preparing to weep.] 
Thou dost not love me, Epimetheus ; 
Thou carest more for foolish vows than me ! 

29 



THE GIFT 



Epimetheus. 

[Taking her in his arms.] 

Not love thee, little wifel I do indeed; 
Thou art the very heart and life of me. 

Pandoka. 

Yet thou dost hesitate to grant to me 
So trivial a wish. My happiness 
Is not thy first endeavor. 

Epimetheus. 

Why, my dear, 
Thou hast but just remarked thy happiness 
A moment since. 

Pandoka. 

That was before mine eyes 
Had seen the curious box, and my heart knew 
Thou carest less for me than for thy vow. 

Epimetheus. 

[Tried to the utmost.] 

Woman, Woman, canst not understand 
Mine honor must come first before my love? 

30 



THE GIFT 



Pandora. 
[Angrily.] 

I understand but one thing well, my lord, 
Thou lovest not, and hast a stubborn will. 
I leave thee with thine honor. Think on it 
And glory in it, and thy stubbornness! 

[She hurriedly enters the house. Cupid 
runs off in dismay.'] 

Epimetheus. 
[To the box.] 
A curse be on thee, thou unholy thing! 
Thy look is sinister, and makes me feel 
A dread of lurking mystery and ill. 
Would I had not received thee, for methinks 
Th' Olympian gods but make of me a jest. 
[He disappears, left.] 

[Enter, right, the Muses, laughing, danc- 
ing, and singing, except Melpomene, who, 
unsmiling, immediately advances toward the 
box, and silently hovers over it. Thalia, 
laughing, runs toward her.] 

Thalia. 
Pray, solemn sister, and what hast thou here? 
[Others gather aboiit.] 
31 



THE GIFT 



Erato. 
A box — and what a pretty cord! 

Euterpe. 

[Trying to push through and see.'] 

Give way! 
Let me behold it, too! 

Clio. 

How strange it looks! 

Urania. 

Nay, touch it not, I say; the stars are not 
Propitious. 

Clio. 

Lo, it shall be known 
Adown the distant ages, with Pandora. 

Calliope. 
Pandora? Is it then Pandora's box? 

Clio. 
Not hers, but woven with her fate. 

Melpomene. 

[Arousing herself with tragic gesture.] 

Alas! 
32 



THE GIFT 



Urania. 
The stars are not propitious. 

Thalia. 

"Wella-day! 
Away with dark forebodings ! Never yet 
Was life made easier with dread of ill. 

Teepsichoee. 

[Runs out and takes a dancing-step. 
Euterpe joins her, and the others follow, all 
circling in the dance as they sing, except 
Melpomene, who still hovers over the box.] 

Let 's dance, 

Euterpe. 

And sing, 

Thalia. 
And charm the hours away, 

All. 
For now is the springtime of the world. 
And all the earth is gay! 

Thalia. 



Then laugh — 



33 



THE GIFT 



Erato. 
And love, 

All. 
Let joy and mirth hold sway, 
For earth 's in its blossoming, love 's in its 
bud, 
And love shall reign for aye! 

[Enter Pandora. She is pulling a daisy 
to pieces, reciting to the petals. She does 
not notice the others.] 

Pandora. 
He loves me. 

He loves me not. 
He loves me. 

He loves me not! 
[Throws down the flower impatiently 
and sighs. The Muses gather about her.] 

Erato. 
What strange, mysterious spell is this. Pandora, 
That tells thee that thy lover loves thee not? 

Pandora. 
He loves me not, but prates to me of vows. 
He hath a mystic box — see, there it is — 

34 



THE GIFT 



And when I would but lift the lid to peep 
At what 's within, he stays my hand and prates 
Of foolish vows to Mercury. 



Beware ! 



Melpomene. 

Ueania. 
The stars are not propitious. 

Clio. 

It is fate I 

Erato. 

Ah, treat a good man's love not lightly, child, 
He is thy husband, and to be obeyed. 

POLYHYMNM. 

Thou must revere the deities, and vows 
Must not be broken, Pandora, beware ! 

[The Muses join hands, circle and dance 
and sing as before.] 

Euterpe. 
Come sing, 

Terpsichore. 
And dance, 
35 



THE GIFT 



Thalia. 
And charm the hours away! 

AliL. 

For now is the springtime of the world, 
And all the earth is gay ! 

Thalia. 
Then laugh, — 

Eeato. 
And love, 

All. 

Let joy and mirth hold sway. 
For earth 's in its blossoming, love 's in its bud, 
And love shall reign for aye. 

[The Muses, except Melpomene, dance 
off, trying to persuade Pandora to follow, 
but she will not, casting longing glances at 
the box. When the others have gone, she 
and Melpomene stand silently facing each 
other for a moment, then Melpomene sadly 
and silently leaves.'] 
36 



THE GIFT 



Pandoea. 

[When all have departed.] 

At last! I am alone — with mystery. 
I am almost affrighted — my heart beats 
In wild, imruly measure. What is this 
Strange power that lures me — draws me, at its 
^\ill? 

[She draws a step nearer with each 
word, as though half reluctantly and under 
a spell, then suddenly pulls herself to- 
gether.] 

I have a ^vill — I ivill not be so drawn! 
The vow! 

[She starts suddenly. Mysterious voices 
in the air repeat.] 

The Vow! The Vow! 

[Pandora hears them only in her conscience.] 

Paistdoka. 
[Weakly.] 

I made no vow. A foolish vow 
Were better broken. 

37 



THE GIFT 



Voices of the Aik. 
[Wailing.] 

Broken — ^broken ! 

Pandora. 

Oh— 
These treacherous doubts! Why dally with 
them more? 

I wonder — 

[Fumbles with the cord.] 

if I could unloose the knot! 

Voices of the Air. 
[Very faint.] 
Broken — Broken ! 

[A distant rumble of thunder is heard. 
Pandora is too absorbed to heed. It grows 
almost imperceptibly darker. Enter Epime- 
theus.] 

Epimetheus. 
Pandora ! 

Pandora. 
[Startled.] 

— how thou didst startle me ! 
38 



THE GIFT 



[Guiltily.] 
I was but toying with the knot — 'tis quaint 
And doth amuse me. 

[Pause. Epimetheus looks at her steadily 
ivithoiit speaking.] 

Come and try thy skill! 
It cannot harm thee just to match thy mt 
Against the skill that tied this knot so fast. 

[She continues to fumble at it. Distant 
thunder.] 

Epimetheus. 
[Curious.] 
Is it, then, so mysteriously contrived? 

[Coming closer.] 
Thou art not skillful. Gather the loose ends 
And thread them through the loop that hangs 
above. 

[Again the rimibling of distant thunder.] 
So. That is well. Now try thy feeble strength 
And pull. 

[She obeys, and the cord falls loose. Heavy 

muttering of thunder. Darkness gathers 

quickly.] 



39 



THE GIFT 



Pandora. 

Ah — 'tis unfastened, quite! 

[She stands back, half frightened, hesi- 
tates a moment, then — ] 

Come, let us take a peep — a little peep ! 
It cannot matter — just a little peep! 

Epimetheus. 

No — tie the knot again; my vow doth keep 
The mystery Avithin the box, although 
The slender cord doth fail it. Let it be. 

Pandora. 

[Trying her strength against the lid, un- 
availingly.] 

We will not open it, but just a crack — 

A crack so small it caniiot matter, then 

We '11 keep thy foolish vow; so come and lend 

Thy strength but just a moment. [Listens.] 

— I hear 
A sound — 'tis voices — they are calling me! 
''Pandora" — thus they say — "Give us a 

breath, ' ' — 
"A tiny breath of air!" Thou knowest now 
It is but right that we should open. — Come! 

40 



THE GIFT 



[Epimetheus yields. It has become very 
dark. As the box yields to their united pres- 
sure, an awful clap of thunder is heard, and 
a sudden vivid streak of lightning reveals 
them, as the box bursts open and a number 
of little, red, wicked-looking sprites fly out 
with a rush. The lightning and thunder con- 
tinue, and Pandora and Epimetheus are 
seen wildly struggling to close the box, which 
they finally succeed in doing. In a dim blue 
light the imps disappear.] 

Pandoka. 
[Terribly frightened.] 
— Epimetheus — what have I done? 

Epimetheus. 

Aye— well sayest thou, what hast thou done? 
I warned thee— Woman— and thou wouldst not 
hear. 

Pandoka. 

Ah, I have dared defy the deities, 
And now I am afraid! Where shall I go? 

41 



THE GIFT 



Epimetheus. 

Aye, wliere? For thou hast angered Jove him- 
self. 

Didst hear his threatening thunderbolts, and 
note 

His lightning's vivid flashes! 

Pandoka. 

Woe is me ! 
I know not what my foolish hand hath done, 
But those were things that boded ill for us. 
0, they were horrible ! Let us away 
And hide until the gods their wrath hath stilled. 

Epimetheus. 

It may not be. There is no hiding-place. 
Woman — thou hast brought mischief to the 

world ! 
A curse upon thee for thy foolishness! 

[Pandora sinks down beside the box, ut- 
terly crushed, and rests her head wearily 
upon it. Epimetheus turns angrily away 
from her and throivs himself upon the bench 
in an attitude of utter despondency. In the 
background Melpomene is seen to enter. She 
lingers sadly near them, as though controll- 
42 



THE GIFT 



ing the situation. Little Cupid limps across 
the back of stage with manner dejected, his 
quiver dragging, his hows broken. The 
flowers which bloom in profusion all about, 
droop on their stems. Suddenly Pandora 
lifts her head. Her face has lost its ex- 
pression of woe, and she poses as if listen- 
ing to a voice within the box, her face be- 
coming more and more radiant as she 
listens.'] 

Pandoka. 
Epimetheus, I hear a voice — 
A tinkling silver voice — and 't is within 
The box! What shall I do ? It says— it says— 

Epimetheus. 
Woman, be still ! Enough ill hast thou done ! 
Speak not to me of voices! 

Pandora. 

— it says= — 
''Pandora, open to me." 

Epimetheus. 

Yea, and so 
Did all those evil spirits conjure thee. 
Talk not to me of voices. 

43 



THE GIFT 



Pandora. 

But it sings! 
It is the sweetest voice I ever heard! 
O, I am mad with loving it! — It sings 
Like birds and brooks, and gentle summer 
winds. 

Epimetheus. 
'T is but a siren voice; give it not ear. 

Pandoea. 

[Suddenly resolved.] 

Yea, I will loose the singer. Never yet 
Hath voice been so alluring, gentle, kind. 

[To the voice within, as she struggles to 
open the box.] 

Yea, I will loose thee gladly! 0, my heart 
Beats swift for joy! The lid lifts — 

[7^ suddenly opens and Pandora stands 
hack as the beautiful winged figure of Hope 
springs up, amid radiant light, and poises 
gracefully upon the box.] 

Ah, how fair! 
My husband — Epimetheus — behold ! 

44 



THE GIFT 



[Epimetheiis joins her quickly, and they 
gaze with rapture upon the figure before 
them.] 

Hope. 

[To Pandora.] 

Pandora, thou wert made of earth, and so 
But mortal, and hast brought into the world 
Through disobedience full many ills; 
So thou and thine must suffer, and thy mate, 
Because he aided thee, must suffer too. - 
But harken ; though 't was Woman let escape 
The ills that mortal flesh must suffer, yet 
'T was Woman who had courage left to lift 
Again the lid, and give me to the world. 
I am the spirit Hope — the child of Faith, 

[A pause, as the light about her seems to 
dance, and assumes rainbow hues.] 

And I have come to dwell with thee for aye. 
Nor storm nor stress shall shake thee, nor shall 

ill 
Prevail, if thou dost keep me near thy hearts. 
I love thee both, and I will be thy friend 
Through life, in death, and through the great 

Beyond. 

45 



THE GIFT 



If Care doth come to sit upon thy brow, 
My hand will soothe, and bid him fly away. 
My lips will kiss thine eyes if thou dost weep. 
I pray thee, wilt thou have me in thy home? 
Wilt cherish me and love me 1 

Pandoka. 

Ah — ^with bliss ! 
I love thee — love thee, gentle spirit. See! 
My tears are falling, yet they speak my joy. 

Epimetheus. 

Thrice welcome, radiant spirit ! From our home 
We bid thee, beg thee, never to depart! 

[To Pandora, whom he takes in his arms.] 

And woman — Wife — come close within mine 

arms; 
I am a Titan, and I, too, have sinned. 
Now may we know the fullness of our love. 
For we have sinned together, and have learned 
The meaning, too, of suffering and pain; 
Yet we shall live above these earthy things 
As god and goddess, for with Hope to guide, 
Our spirits shall, undaunted, conquer all. 
And trust a bright hereafter. Kiss me, dear! 

46 



THE GIFT 



[As the rainbow-lights play about them, 
Cupid flies in and hovers over them, and in 
the background the Muses dance by, harps 
in their hands, as they sing softly.'] 

Muses. 

So love and hope, 

And charm the hours away, 
For now is the springtime of the world, 

And all the earth is gay. 
Then laugh, and love. 

Let Love and Hope hold sway. 
For earth 's in its blossoming, love 's in its bud, 

And Hope shall live for aye. 

The End. 



47 



DEC 6 1913 



